Button sewing machine



May 16, 1939-. F. A. REEcE BUTTON SEWING MACHINE Original Filed Jan. 24, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet l m M., Q @i w mm. -T/ NQ En. ,Mmmtm ATTO RN EY F. A. REECE May 16, 1939.

4BUTTON SEWING MACHI NE original Filed Jan. 24, 193e 8 Sheets-sheet 2 ATr'onNEY F'. A. REECE BUTTON SEWING MACHINE May 16, 1939.

Original Filed Jam.` 24, 1956 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 @www DLLQAQMQQ,

ATTO RN EY YMaly 16,1939. F, A, RECE 2,158,200

BUTTON SEWING MACHINE Original F'iled Jax 1. 24 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 grd-QQ QW,

ATTORNEY May 16, 1939.-

' BUTTON SEWING MACHINE originl Filed Jan'. 24, 193e e sheets-sheet 5 ATTQRNEY F. A. REECE 2,158,200

May 1 6, 1939. F. A. REECE 2,158,200

BUTTON SEWING MACHINE Original Filed Jan. 24', 193e s sheets-sheet e ATTORNEY May 16, 1939. F. A. REECE BUTTON SEWING MACHINE original Filed Jan. 24, 195e e sheets-sheet` 'r ATTORNEY May 16, 1939. F A, REECE BUTTON SEWING MACHINE' Original Filed Jan 24, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 R O T N E V m ATTO RN EY Patented May 16, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Divided and this application June 6. 1936, Serial No. 83,943

l 22 Claims. (CL Ilz- 110) This invention relates to machines for sewing on buttons, 'especially substantially flat buttons having perforations or holes through which the attaching thread is passed. Such buttons are of a 5 Wide variety of shapes and sizes, the number of the thread receiving holes diiering in different buttons, and the number of stitches required for their satisfactory attachment'varying with the number of holes, the size of the buttons, and the purpose and location of their attachment.

The present invention has for a general object the provision of an improved button sewing machine which can,by simple adjustments readily effected by the ordinary operator, be set to 15 attach a button by means of a variable number of groups of stitches of a predetermined number of stitches each, the thread being secured by a tying stitch at the completion of each group of attaching stitches. The machine is entirely auto- 20 matic in its operation and, having been set in operation with the work properly positioned therein, will perform and complete the sequence of operations for which it has previously been set or adjusted and thereafter come to rest.

The more particular objects of Cthe invention, together with means whereby the latter may be carried into effect, will best be understood from the following description of an illustrative embodiment thereof shown in the accompanying draw- 30 ings. The particular mechanism described and shown has, however, been chosen for purposes of exemplication merely, as it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the invention as defined by the claims hereunto appended, may be 35 otherwise embodied without departure from the spirit and scope thereof.

In said drawings: l

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly broken away, of the complete machine.

40 Figs. 2 and 3 are detail views .illustrating the attachment of two diierenttypes of buttons.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken substantially on the line 4 4, Fig-1.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken substantially 4i on the line 5 5, Fig. l.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 6 6, Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a plan view, and l A Fig. 8 a side elevation of the main cam.

Fig. 9 is a section taken on the line .9-9, Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a detail section taken substantially on the line ill-IU, Fig. 5. Y

Fig. 11 is a detail section taken substantially on the line I l--I I,Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary `.longitudinal vertical section taken substantially on the line |2-i2,

Fig. 16, of the rear portion of the machine, show- 4 ing certain of the driving connections. 60 Figs. 13, 14 and l5 are fragmentary detail views of certain of the parts in Fig. 12 showing them in different positions.

Fig. 16 is a horizontal section taken substantially on the line li-IS, Fig. 12.

Fig. 17 is a detail section taken substantially on the line l1-I1, Fig. 12.

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary detail view of certain of the parts in Fig. l2.

Figs. 19 and 20 are detail sections taken substantially on the lines lil-I9 and 20--2IJ, re- 10 spectively, Fig. 16, showing the parts in different positions.

Although not limited to use in connection with button sewing mechanism of any particular type, the invention is herein illustrated in connection with a button sewing machine of the character disclosed and claimed in a prior application, Serial No. 60,616, filed January 24, 1936, of which this case is a division, and in order to make clear the purpose and operation of the mechanism to which 20 the present invention' relates, the general construction and operation of the machine of said prior application will be briefly outlined.

Referring to Figs. l, 4, 5 and 6, theframe or casing of the machine comprisesa base or bed 10 25 and an overhanging head 1I supported therefrom by an upright housing portion 12 enclosing the principal parts of the operating and controlling devices. -For convenience of assembly and repair, said frame or casing comprises two separable main sections A' and A2 connected and relatively positioned by dowels a (Figs. 4 and l2) and several attached minor parts all of whichl collectively 'afford the necessary enclosures, supports, bearings, etc., for the various moving parts.

The bed 10 carries a work plate 13 upon which the fabric W to which the buttons are to be attached is supported and against which it is clamped by a presser foot 14 carrying a button clamp 15 for holding the individual buttons and o .positioning.,them for the operation of the sewing instrumentalities.

T h main driving and controlling instrumentalities include a main power shaft 16 journalled in suitable bearings in the head 1I and to which 45 power may be applied through a belt pulley 11 under the control of automatic stop mechanism hereinafter described; -a vertical cam shaft `11i journalled in suitable bearings in the housing 12, driven through a worm 25 and worm gear 26 50 from the main shaft 16, and provided with suitable cams for controlling the movements of the several instrumentalities; and a horizontal looper shaft 19 journalled in suitable bearings in the base 10 and operated and controlled from the 55 cam shaft 18.

The stitch-forming instrumentalities include an y eye-pointed needle carried by a needle bar 8| mounted for vertical orlongitudinal reciprocation in the head 1i, and a pair of loopers 82 and 83 50 on a looper carrier 84 secured to the looper shaft 19 adjacent its forward end, (see'particularly Fig. 5). Except as hereinafter mentioned, these` instrumentalities may be substantially as s'hown and described in the United States patent to Dahl, No.'862,'238, August 6, 1907.

"In attaching a two-hole button B, as shown in Fig. 2, the carrier 98 for the lower needle bar bearing is oscillated laterally between successive descents of the needle 80 to cause said needle to pass alternately through the holes h and hx in the button, the looper carrier being at this time oscillated laterally by the shaft 19 to cause the loopers to cooperate with the needle in the formation of the stitches s passing through said holes and serving to attach the button to the fabric W. In attaching a four-hole button, such as shown at B in Fig. 3, the same operations are performed to form a series of` attaching stitches s'passing through the holes hl and h2, after which the carrier 98 is shifted longitudinally or vin a direction fore and aft of the machine, to bring the needleiinto the plane of the holes h3 and h4 of the other pair, the looper shaft 19 with the looper carrier 84 and loopers 82 and 63 being similarly shifted to maintain the cooperative relationship of said loopers with the needle. Thereafter the sewing operations are repeated to form a second set of attaching stitches s2 passing through the holes h3 and h4.

'I'he carrier 98 is oscillated laterally about the axis of its pivot |01 to cause the needle to pass alternately through the holes h, hx (Fig. 2), h', h2 (Fig. 3) or h3, h4, by mechanism more fully described in said prior application. Generally speaking, said mechanism comprises a link I |3 suitably connected at one end with the carrier and provided at the opposite end with a stud |20 received in an arcuate groove |2| in one arm of a lever |22 (see also Fig. 6) secured to an upright shaft v| 23 journalled in the casing. At its opposite end the lever |22 carries a pin |25 which engages a cam groove |21 in the upper face of a main cam |29 fast on the vertical cam shaft 18. With this construction it will be seen that rotation o f the cam |29 will cause the lever |22 to swing about the axis of the shaft |23, and that this movement will be transmitted from said lever to the carrier 98 through the link H3.

The amplitude ofthe lateral vibration thus imparted to the-carrier 98 will depend upon the point of engagement of the stud |20 with the groove |2|, and Vin order to permit this to be readily adjusted in accordance with the lateral spacing of the holes in the button, the link ||3 is provided with a stud |30 engaged by a fork` |3| (see also Fig. 4) which may be suitably adjusted.

The mechanism for moving the carrier 98 longitudinally comprises a link |46 (Fig. 4) having at its forward end a stud received in a transverse groove or way in the upper face of the carrier 98 adjacent the rear end of the latter. 4At its rear' end the link |46 carries a stud |5| which engages a groove |52 in an arm |53 secured to a second vertical rock shaft |54. Adjacent its lower end the rock shaft |54, has secured thereto an arm |55 (Fig. 5) having a bifurcated end between the branches of which is pivoted the end of a link |56 which has secured theretov alpair of contact or cam-follower blocks |6| embracing between them and cooperating with an edge cam |62 rotatably mounted on the stud |58 and the hub of' which is provided with a spur gear |63 meshing with a pinion |64 on the lower end of the main cam shaft 16. The gear |63 and pinion after one complete rotation of the cam |29 to cause the cam groove |21 thereof to produce a.

' predetermined number of lateral reciprocations of the-needle bar to form, for example, the group of stitches s' (Fig. 3), the cam |62 will cause the carrier 98 and needle bar to be shifted longitudinally of the machine in one direction, after which a second rotation of the cam |29 will cause the necessary number` of lateral reciprocations to form the group of stitches s2, whereupon the cam |62 will return the carrier and needle bar to their original longitudinal positions.

The amplitude of the longitudinal or fore and aft movement of the carrier 98 and needle -bar 8| is determined by the position of the stud |5| in the groove |52 of the arm |53, and, in order that this may be conveniently adjusted in accordance with the fore and aft spacing of the holes hl, h2 and h3, h4, therevis provided a fork |65 (Figs. 1, 4 and 6) which is operated from the exterior of the casing by a hand lever |69.

Fig. 4 shows the adjustment of the parts for a four-hole button having the maximum hole spacing for which the machine is adapted.

'I'he oscillations of the looper shaft 19 are effected by mechanism more fully shown and described in application Serial No. 60,616, abOve referred to. Said mechanism includes a sleeve |19 (Figs. 1 and 5) in which the rear end of said shaft is slidably mounted and a collar secured' to the shaft, said sleeve and collar constituting a slip coupling or clutch connecting the sleeve and shaft for oscillation in unison while permitting longitudinal movement of the shaft in the sleeve. At'its rear end the vsleeve |19 is formed with a head |8| having a transverse bore in which a stud |83 is rotatably and slidably mounted. The stud |83 -is provided with a head |84 having a transverse bore in which is slidably and rotatably receivedv a stud |85 projecting from the end of an arm |86 secured to one end of a transverse rock shaft |81. By these connections the shaft |81 and sleeve |19, al-

though disposed perpendicular to one another, are connected for oscillation in unison.. At its opposite end the rock shaft |81 has secured thereto an arm |82 to which is pivoted the lower end vof a link |90'. At its upper end the link i90-is provided with a stud |9| the inwardly projecting end of which is received in an arcuate groove |92 inone end of a lever |93 fulcrumed at its opposite end on a stud |94 projecting inwardly from the side wall of the housing 12. Intermediate its ends the lever |93 carries a pin |95 engaging a cam groove |91 formed in the side or periphery of the main cam |29. The groove |91 corresponds to the groove |21, that is to say, the number and timing of the oscillations of the looper shaft 19 produced by the former correspond tothe number and timing of the lateral oscillations of the needle produced by the latter. 'Ihe amplitude of oscillation of the looper shaft 19 depends upon the position of the stud |9| in the groove |92 of the lever |93, and in order that this position may be suitably adjusted concurrently with the adjustment of the position of the stud |20 in the groove 2| oi' the lever 22,

the slide |32 by which the latter stud is adjusted is provided with a depending flange 202 (Fig. 1) havinga slot 203 to receive the outwardly projecting end of the pin |9|.

When the needle bar carrier 98 is shifted longitudinally or in a direction fore and aft of the machine, the looper shaft 19 is likewise shifted' carrier-98 is shifted longitudinally by the lever |53 acting through the link |46, the shaft 19 will be correspondingly shifted longitudinally.

-The main cam |29 makes one complete rotation for each group of stitches s, s' or s2, and the number of stitches of each group is determined by the shape of the cam grooves |21 and |91.

Referring to Fig. 7, the cam groove |21 is formed with ve radially oiset portions, adapted to produce ve complete lateral reciprocations of the needle in synchronism with the vertical reciprocations thereof, and with a concentric portion 23| during which the needle is caused to make two descents through the same hole in the button in order to form a knot or tying stitch, and the groove |91 is correspondingly formed to produce the requisite oscillatory movements of the loopers 82 and 83 to cause them to cooperate alternately with the needle in the formation of the attaching stitches and with a portion 213 so shaped as to cause one of said loopers to cooperate twice in succession with said needle when the latter descends twice through the same hole in the formation of the tying stitch. Consequently, each group of stitches will comprise ten attaching stitches and a tying stitch, the whole group requiring twelve vertical reciprocations of the needle.

The belt pulley 11 (Fig. 1) is loose on the shaft 16 and is adapted to be clutched thereto by a combined clutch and stop mechanism which as herein shown is similar to those shown and described in the United States patent to Mello, No. 1,227,643, May 29, 1917, and United States patent to Reece, No. 1,730,014, October 1, 1929. Referring to Fig. 19, saidmechanism includes a ring 216 carriedby the pulley 11 and having a pinVV 211 which projects through a slotl 218 in said pulley and'is engaged by a spring 219 located in a recess in said pulley, whereby said ring is permitted a limited yielding angular movement with respect to the pulley, lin order to cushion the shock o f starting. The ring 216 has a shoulder 280 adapted to be engaged by a clutch dog 28| pivoted at 286 to a hub 282 keyed to the shaft 16 and normally urged into engagement with said shoulder by a spring 283 connecting said dog with an arm 284 fixed to said hub. The dog 28| is formed with a stop arm 285 adapted, when the connected parts are rotated in the direction of the arrows on Figs. 18, 19 and 20 to engage a head 281v yieldingly mounted by means of a spring 288 in the end of a stop arm 289 when the latter is in the position shown in full lines "in Fig. 13, thereby disengaging the dog 28| from the shoulder 280 as shown in Fig. 18, and stopping the rotation of the shaft 16, the shock of stopping being cushioned by the spring 288.- Recoil of the shaft under the influence of the spring 288 is preventedby a pawl 290 normally urged into a position to be engaged by a shoulder 29| on the hub 282 by means` of a spring 292. The arm 289 is formed with a cam surface 293 which cooperates with a plunger 294 slidably mounted inthe frame and engaging the pawl 290. The arrangexnent of the parts is such that, when the -stop arm 289 is in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 13, the head 281 is out of the path of movement of the-arm 285 of the dog 28|, permitting theiatter, under the influence of the spring 283, to engage the shoulder 280. as shown in Fig. 20, thereby connecting the pulley 11 and hub 282 for rotation in unison in the direction of the arrows. The cam surface 293 at the same time acts through the plunger 294 to hold the pawl 290 in the inoperative position shown in Fig. 20. When the stop arm`289 is in the position .shown in full lines in Fig. 13, the head 281 will be engaged by the stop arm 285 to disconnect the parts and stop the machine, as above described.

'I'he cam surface 293 at this time permits the plunger 294 to be forced back by the spring 292, thereby permitting said spring to move the pawl 290 into operative position for engagement by lthe shoulder 29|, as shown in Fig. 18.

The stop arm289 is secured, as by a' set screw 301, (Figs. 1 '1 and 18), to a rock shaft 305 journalled in the frame and having secured thereto at the exterior of the casing an arm 306 (Figs. 1, 16 and 17) connected by a chain 295l (Fig. 1) with a suitable treadle (not shown), said arm being preferably provided with a spring pressed positioning plunger 296 adapted to engage either one of the two recesses or depressions 291 (Figs. l

and 17) in the outer wall of the casing, thereby releasably retaining the stop arm 289 in either of the two positions shown in Fig. 13. To start the machine, the treadle is depressed, thereby rocking the shaft 305 in the`dlrection to move the stop arm 289 into the position shown. in dotted lines in Fig. 13. started will continue toroperate until automatically stopped. For this purpose the following mechanism is provided:-

Secured, as by a set screw 308 (Fig. 18'), to the inner end of the rock shaft 305 is an arm 298 The machine having been having a bifurcated end between the bifurca- I tions of which is pivoted a bunter 299 having a bevelled free end 300 (Fig. 17) adapted, when when the latter reaches an angular position: corresponding to the completion .of a group ,of stitches of the number determined by the shape of the cam grooves |21 and |91, Such engage- ,said'bunteris inthe elevated position shown in Figs. 13 and 15, to be engaged by a stud 30| projecting from the underside of the main cam |29 ment of the end 300 of the bunter 299 by the stud 30| causes said bunter :to be forced toward the right in Fig. 13, thereby rocking the shaft'305 'in a clockwise direction andmovingth stop arm 289 intoE the position shown in full lines in Fig. 13 to disengage the clutch and stop the machine. The stud 30| is preferably notched, as shown at 302 in Fig. 9, so that the slight overthrow of the parts incidental to stopping the machine will bring said notch opposite the end of the bunter 299 in order to permit the machine to be again started by operation of the treadle.

A shaft 265 (Figs. 6, 10'and 11) is journalled in the frame and provided at the exterior of the casing with an operating handle 266 whereby it may be conveniently turned. Said shaft is formed with a flattened end portion 303 (Fig. 18) adapted, when said shaft is turned into the position shown in Fig. 15, to hold the bunter 299 in its operative position in the path of movement of the stud 30| to stop the machine after one complete rotation ofthe cam |29 and the f consequent completion of one group of attaching and tying stitches, as in sewing a two-hole button B, Fig. 2. When turned into the position shown in. Figs. 14, 16 and 18, however, theflattened portion 303 permits the bunter 299 to be drawn by a spring 304 into the inoperative position shown in Fig. 14 out of the path of movement of the stud 30|, thereby permitting the continued operation of the machine after one complete rotation of the cam 29, as in sewing two groups of. stitches attaching a four-hole button B' (Fig. 3), until raisedinto its operative position by the following mechanism:

Pivoted as at 309 (Figs. 13, 14 and V17) to the frame member |59 is a bell crank lever having one arm 3 |0\in engagement with a vertically sliding plunger -`3H guided in said frame memberand adapted, when-raised, to lift the bunter 290 from the inoperative position shown in Fig. 14 into the operative position shown in Figs. 13 and 15. The other arm 3| 2 of said bell crank lever engages a cam or eccentric 3|3 formed on the hub of the gear 63 and cam |62. 'I'he cam and gear assembly |62, |63, 3|3-makes one complete rotation to two complete rotations of the cam shaft 18 and main cam |29, and the eccentric 3|3 is so arranged that the' completion of one rotation of the cam 29 the bell crank 3|0, 3|2 and plunger 3|| will be in the positions shown in Fig. 14, but at the completion of a second rotation of the cam |29 said parts will be in the position shown in Fig. 13, thereby lifting the bunter 299 into operative position and causing the stopping of the machine upon the completion of said second rotation.

It will thus be seen that with the shaft 265 in the position shown in Fig. 15 the machine will be stoppedn after the completion ofcne group of attaching and tying stitches, and when said shaft is in the position shown in Figs. 13 and 14, the machne will be stopped after the completion of ftwo groups of attaching and tying stitches. By a suitable angul r setting of the shaft 265 by means of the hadle 266, the machine can be set to complete automatically either one group of stitches resulting from twelve vertical reciprocations oi the needle, or two such groups'of stitches.v The shaft. 265 is mounted for a limited longitudinal movement in opposition to a spring 3|! (Figs. 6 and 10) lnterposedbetween the casing wall and a col1ar 3|5 on said shaft. said spring normally holding the shaft in the longitudinal position shown. Secured to the shaft 265 immediately adjacent the outer face of the easing wall is a disk 3|6 (Figs. 10 and 11),

, said disk being preferably formed integral with 318 opposite a xed index or reference pin 32|. v

. By drawing the shaft 265 outwardly a limited distance against the tension of the spring 3H,

A the stud 3|9 may be disengaged 'from the aperture 320 with which it is` engaged, the shaft 'turned to bring the other index character 3|8 opposite the referencepiri` 32|, and the shaft released to` permit the spring 3H to re-engage the pin 3|9 with the other aperture 320; thereby locking the shaft in readjusted position. As

- shown the index characters 3|8v comprise the numerals "1 and 2 disposed at 90 to one another. 'I'he arrangement is such that when the numeral 1 is opposite the index pin 32|, the shaft 265 is in the position shown in Fig. 15,. so as to stop the machine after one rotation of the cam |29 and consequently upon the completion of one group oi attaching and tying stitches, and whenthe numeral 2" is opposite the index pin, the shaft 265 is in the position shown in Figs. 13 and 14, so that the machine is not stopped until after two rotations of the cam |29 and the completion of two groupsof stitches.

In order to set the machine to sew a two-hole button B (Fig. 2), the pin |5| is adjusted into a position coaxial with the shaft |54. The slide |32 (Fig. 6) is adjusted, in accordance with the position the'studs |20 and |9| at the proper points in the grooves in their respectivevlever arms |22 and |93 to give the required amplitude of lateral vibration to the needle and'loopers. The shaft 265 (Figs. 6, 10 and 11) is angularly set to stop the machine upon the completion of one group of stitches, that is to say, the index numeral 1 is set opposite the reference -pin 32|. The starting treadle (not shown) is then depressed and acts through the chain 295 (Fig. 1) and arm 306 to rock the shaft 305 (Fig. 13) in a counter-clockwise direction, thereby disengaging the head 281 of the stop arm 289 from the arm 285 (Figs. 18, 19 and 20) of the clutch dog 28| and starting the machine. During the operation of the machine the rock shaft 305 is moved by the starting treadle by engagement of the plunger 296 (Fig-17) with the appropriate recess 291. The machine thereupon operates to cause the needle toI descend alternately through the holes h and ha: and the looper mechanism to cooperate therewith to form a group of attaching stitches, and thereafter to cause'said needle to descend twice through the same hole to form a tying stitch. Upon the 'completion of this stitch group,.-i. e., upon the completion of one rotation of the cam |29, the stud 30| (Figs. 15 and 17) engages the end of the bunter 299, forcing the same toward the right and thereby rooking the shaft 305 in a clockwise direction and moving the stop arm 289 into the position shown in full lines in Figli?.l The arm 285 of the clutch dog 28| thereupon engages the head 281 of said stop arm, thus disengaging the clutch and positively stopping the shaft 16, the impact being cushioned by the spring 288. Movement of the stop arm 289 into stopping position causes the cam surface 293 (Fig. 16) on said arm to release' the plunger 294 (Figs. 16- and 18), so.

that the spring 292 moves the pawl 290 into position to be engaged by the shoulder 29| to check the recoil of the` spring 288, as shown in Fig. 18.

In orderto set the machine to sew a four-hole button B (Fig. 3), the stud 15| is set at the proper point in the groove |52 in the lever arm |53 to produce the requisite fore and aft shifting movement of the needle and looper mechanism in accordance with the fore-and-aft spac` ing' of the pairs of holes h1, h2 and h3, h4. 'I'he adjustment for lateral hole spacing is made by the .slide |32 (Fig. 6) in the samejmanneras above described in the case of a two-hole button. 'I'he shaft 265 (Figs. 10 and 11) is angularly set with the index numeral 2 opposite the reference pin 32|, thereby positioning the fiattened end portion 303 thereof as shown in Figs. 13 and 14. The machine then operates as above described to sew a group of attaching and tying stitches through the holes h1 and h2. Upon the completion ,of this stitch group, the cam |29 will have made one complete rotation, but at this time the eccentric 3|3 permits the bell crank 3|0, 3|2 and plunger 3| to assume the positions shown in Fig. 14, so that the bunter 299 is notv engaged'by the stud 30|, and the operation of the machine continues. Also at the completion of the first stitch group and the first rotation of the cam |29, the cam |62 acts, through the slide |56, rock shaft |54, lever arm |53, link |46, arm |49, and rock shaft |50, to shift the needle and looper mechanism rearwardly into position to cooperate with the holes h3 and h4, whereupon a second group of stitches is sewn through the latter holes. i Meantime, the eccentric 3|3 has been turned into a position to rock the bell crank 3H), 3|2 and lift the plunger 3l |l and bunter 299 into the position shown in Figs. 13 and 5. Consequently, upon the completion of thsecond group of stitches and the' second Vrotation of L the cam |29, the stud 30| will engage the bunter 4299 and stop the -machine as above described.

Ifit be desired to sew a' two-holebutton with a number of stitches greater than that of the single stitch group for which the machine is ,designed, the parts may be so adjusted as to sew two groups of stitches through the same pair of holes, each group being completed by the usual tying stitch. For this purpose the pin ispositioned concentric with the shaft |54, and the shaft 265 (Figs. and 11) turnedto bring the index numeral 2 opposite the reference pin 32|, the other adjustments being as above described. The operation of the machine, after depression of the startingvtreadle, will then be as above described in connection with the sewing of a four-hole button except that there will be no fore and aft shifting of the needle and looper mechanism after the completion of the first stitch group, so that both groups of vstitches, will be sewn throughthe same pairfkof holes.

I claim:

1. In a machine for sewing on buttons, stitch iorming mechanism, means `for operating the same in cycles to form stitches in groups of a predetermined number each, and Istop mechanism actuated by said operating means and adjustable to stop said machine after the completion of a variable number of cycles.

2. In a machine for sewing on buttons, stitch forming mechanism, operating mechanism therefor including a controlling element having a cycle of operation to cause said stitch forming mechanism to form a` group of stitches of a pre-i determined number, and means adapted to be operated by said element at the completion of each cycle of operation thereof to stop the machine, said parts being adjustable to cause stopping of the machine after the completion of a variable number of cycles of operation of saidelement to vary the' number of groups of stitches formed.

3. In a machine for sewing on buttons', stitch forming mechanism, operating mechanism therefor, including a controlling 4element having a cycle of operation to cause said stitchforming mechanism to form a group of stitches comprising a predetermined number of attaching stitches and a tying stitch, and means adapted to be operated by said element at the completion of each cycle of operation thereof to stop the machine, said .parts being adjustable to cause stopping of the machine after the completion of a operated by said element at the completion of` each cycle of operation thereof to stop the machine, said stopping means being adjustable for operation by said element at the completionof a variable number of cycles of operation thereof to vary th' number of groups of stitches formed.

5. In a machine for sewing'on buttons, a needie, cooperating looper elements, means for reciprocating said needlelongitudlnally, means for moving said needle laterally to cause it to pass through different holes in the button and for oscillating said looper elements, said last named means having a cycle of operation to cause the formation of a group of stitches of a predetermined number and means adapted to be operated by said last named means atthe completion of each cycle of operation thereof to stop the machine, said parts being adjustable to cause stopping of the machine after the completion of a variable number of said cycles of operation to vary the number of groups of stitches formed.

6. In a machine for sewing on buttons, stitch forming elements, means for operating the same to form stitches, said operating means including a. controlling element having a cycle of'operation` to cause the formation of a group of stitches of a. predetermined number, means for shifting said stitch forming elements back and forth between two stitching positions after the formation of a `group of stitches in each of said positions, and

means adapted to be operated by said controlling element at the completion of each cycle of operation thereof to stop the machine, said parts being adjustable to ,cause stopping of the machine after the completion of a variable number of cycles v of operation of said element.

1. In a machine for sewing on buttons, the

combination with stitch forming mechanism having cycles of operation to form groups of superimposed stitches of a predetermined number each, vof means .adapted to be operated at the completion of a. cycle of operation of said stitch forming mechanism to stop the machine and adjustable to cause stopping of the machine after the completion of a variable number. of cycles, whereby to vary the number of groups of stitches formed.

s. 1n a machine for sewing on buttons, stitch forming devices and actuating and controlling mechanism therefor adapted to cause the same to form automatically a plurality of groups of consecutive attaching stitches of a predetermined number each, said mechanism including means for causing said devices to form a tying stitch at i the completion of each group of attaching stitches, and means for varying the number of groups of stitches automatically formed.

forming mechanism', means for operating the same in cycles to form stitches in groups of 'a predetermined number each, means for shifting the position of said mechanism between the formation of successive groups of stitches, and stop mechanismadjustable to stop the machine after the completion of a variable number of cycles.

10. In a, machine for sewing on buttons, stitch forming mechanism, operating means for causing 9. In a machine for sewing on buttons, stitch said stitch forming mechanism to form groups of stitches each including a predetermined number of attaching stitches followed by a tying stitch, and stop mechanism actuated by Said perating means to stop the machine, said stop mechanism including means adjustable to cause .actuation thereof after the completion of a variable number of tying stitches.

11. In a. machine for sewing oh buttons, stitch forming mechanism, means for operating the same in cycles to form groups of stitches of a predetermined number and character, and stop mechanism actuated by said operating means and operable to stop said machine only,at the completion of a cycle, said stop mechanism being adjustable to cause the same to stop the machine after the completion of a variablev n umberv of cycles u f y 12. In a machine for sewing on buttons, stitch same in cycles to form superimposed stitches in groups of a predetermined number each, and stop mechanism adjustable to stop said machine after the completion of a variable number of cycles,`

'said stop mechanism being adapted to be permanently set to control the number of cycles and the consequent number of stitch groups, whereby the machine may be repeatedly operated to form a recurrent series of such stitch vgroups without so resetting said stop mechanism. s

13. In a. machine for sewing on buttons, stitch forming mechanism, means for operating the same in cycles to form groups of superimposed stitches of a predetermined number each. and stop mechanism adjustable to stop said machine after the completion of cycles.

14.'In a machine for forming mechanism,

sewing on buttons, stitch means for operating the -40 same in cycles to form groups of superimposed stitches of a predetermined `number stop each, and mechanism actuated by said operating means and adjustable to stop said nachine after they completion ofa variable number of cycles;

15. In a machine for sewing on-buttons,-stitch forming mechanism, operating therefor including a contro A element having a cycle of operation to cause said nism to form a group of superimposed-stitches of 50 a predetermined number, and means adapted to be operated by said element at the completion of thereofto stop the madiustable to cause stopping of the machine after the completion of a variable, number of vcycles of operation of said elelment to vary the number oi groups 0f stitches formed. u

16. In a machine for sewing on buttons, stitch forming mechanism, operating mechanism therefor includinga controlling element having a cycle of operation nism to form a group of stitches comprising a predetermined number of superimposed attaching stitches and a tying stitch, to be operated by said element at the completion of each cycle of operation thereof to stop the machine, said parts being adjustable to cause stopping of the machine after the completion of a t2o* forming mechanism, means for operating the stitch forming mecha-- to cause said stitch forming mechaand means adapted,

variable number of cycles of operation of said ele-f 70 ment to vary the number-of'groups of stitches `formed. 17. Ina machine for sewing on buttons,- the combination-with'means for holding and posiment at tioning a, perforated button, a variable number of tioning a perforated button, of stitch forming mechanism, means for operating the same in fcycles to form stitches through the holes of the button in groups of a predetermined number each, and stop mechanism adjustable to stop said machine afte'r the completion of a variable number of cycles.

18. In a machine for .sewing on buttons, the combination with means for holding and positioning a perforated button, of stitch forming mechanism, meansI for operating the same in cycles to form stitches through the holes of the button in groups of a predetermined number each, and stop mechanism actuated by said operating means and adjustable to stop said machine after the completion of a variable number of cycles.

19. In a machine for sewing on buttons, the

mbination with means for holding and positioning a perforated button, -of stitch forming @udine operation to cause said stitch forming mechanism to form a group of stitches of a predeter- Ymined number through the holes of the button, and means adapted to be operated by said ele- Vthe completion of Veach cycle ofoperation thereof to stop the machine, said stopping means being adjustable for operation by said element at the completion of a variable number a controlling element having a cycle of of cycles of operation thereof to vary the-number of groups of stitches formed. v,

20. In a machine for sewing .on buttons, the combination with means for holding and posiof stitchforming mechanism, operating means a controlling element having a through the holes in the button number of attaching ,stitches andthereafter to form a tying stitch, and means adapted to be operated by said element at each cycle of operation thereofv to stop the machine, said parts being adjustable to cause stopping of the machine after the completion of a therefor including cycle of operation to cause said stitch forming mechanism ,to form a predetermined the completion of I variable number o f cycles of operation of said element. A ,Y

21. In a machine for sewing on'buttons, the

combination with means for holding and positioning a perforated button, of stitch forming Vmechanism having'cyclesJ of operation to form throughthe holes of the button groups of stitchesl I..

of a predetermined number each, and means adapted tobe operated at thecompletion of a cycle of operation of said stitch forming mechaa variable number of cycles.

22. In. a machine for 'sewing on buttons, the combination with means for holding and positioning a button having a plurality of pairs of Y holes therethrough, of stitch forming mechanism, means for operati g the same in cycles to form stitches in groupswof a predetermined number each, each groupiof stitches being formedthrough v a pair of holes in the button, means for shifting the position of said mechanism between the formation of successive groups of stitches -to cause said stitches to be formed through different pairs of holes, and stop mechanism adjustable to stop -the machine after the completion of a variable number of cycles.

l FRANKLIN A. REECE. 

